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freespeech

India @ 75 | Digital Rights Ka Amrit Mahotsav?

Where do the rights of Indian internet users stand as the country celebrates 75 years of independence? Read our short analysis and statement on status of digital rights in India.
15 August, 2022
9 min read

In a petition filed by the Journalist Union of Assam, Supreme Court directs governments to not use Section 124A

tl;dr It is official. The Supreme Court has stayed the operation of Section 124-A [https://indiankanoon.org/doc/1641007/]of the Indian Penal Code, 1860 (‘IPC’) which criminalises speech that excites or attempts to excite ‘disaffection, hatred or contempt’ against the Government established by law. Through its interim order [https://drive.google.com/file/d/1l7VXeIh09ZaGS_Ri1JDGJ3b_QookPW2l/view?usp=sharing] dated May 11, 2022 (‘Order’), which goes a long way in protecting the freedom of speech
11 May, 2022
6 min read

Oxford Pro Bono Publico releases its report on the Regulation of Digital Media and Intermediaries

To assist challenges to IT Rules, w​e reached out to Oxford Pro Bono Publico (OPBP) - a research centre at the Oxford University, requesting research on laws in other countries on social media platforms, digital news media and OTT platforms. OPBP has published their research report in December 2021.
01 March, 2022
5 min read

Revealed: Over two thousand news publishers furnished their details to the MIB, despite Bombay HC’s stay

IFF filed an RTI Application to find out whether the MIB has issued notices for information to news publishers, and to which publishers. The MIB has admitted that it has indeed issued two such notices, and that more than two thousand publishers have responded to these notices!
25 January, 2022
4 min read

Amina writes to the National Commission for Women and the Telangana State Women’s Commission against targeted harassment of Muslim Women

After much furore around the Bulli Bai incident, some arrests have been made and the investigation is still pending. One of the victims of this incident wrote to the National Commission of Women and the Telangana State Women Commission seeking their intervention in ensuring fair investigation.
11 January, 2022
5 min read

Featured

118 days since… still no justice for those targeted by the “Sulli Deals” incident.

We wrote to the Delhi Police asking them to expeditiously investigate the 'Sulli Deals' incident to provide closure and support to those targeted.
30 October, 2021
5 min read

Featured

IFF writes to Google India about recent instances of YouTube copyright strikes

We write to Google India highlighting that action taken upon copyright complaints is based on an incorrect application of copyright law and YouTube’s policies and, therefore, threatens press freedom and is in violation of the constitutional rights of digital media reporters and its audience.
18 October, 2021
4 min read

Digital Patrakar Defence Clinic is back again for October!

IFF in collaboration with FMP launched DPDC in September to provide pro bono legal assistance to journalists. DPDC will continue to provide pro bono legal assistance throughout the year. In this post we highlight who can apply for the Clinic, and the pro bono legal services offered.
29 September, 2021
3 min read

Featured

MeitY blocks information about Actor Sushant Singh’s account takedown

Twitter unilaterally and arbitrarily suspended the account of Sushant Singh (@sushant_says) twice, i.e. on February 1 and May 26, 2021. We helped him file RTI requests with the Meity, DoT and MHA. Meity invoked the 2009 Blocking Rules and the RTI Act to deny information to Mr. Singh.
30 August, 2021
5 min read

Featured

Pegasus: Rupesh Kumar Singh and Ipsa Shatakshi and other journalists approach SC

Rupesh Kumar Singh and Ipsa Shatakshi, activists reporting on issues related to Adivasi people in Jharkhand, approached the SC asking to declare that the use of a spyware such as Pegasus is unconstitutional. IFF has provided legal assistance.
05 August, 2021
4 min read

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